The Auction

~Mia~

I sat in front of the mirror, my eyes were shut as the makeup brush skimmed over my eyelids. The music from the bar could be slightly heard in the dressing room I was in, and even though it was my favorite song, I dared not move.

My Aunt Alexa was doing my makeup which was pretty strange and surprising. Not only the fact that she was doing my makeup, but that I needed makeup tonight was confusing.

My Aunt Alexa was never this nice to me.

“Oh God, I can’t wait to finish this makeover! Their heads will turn tonight!” She squealed with excitement, causing me to furrow my brows.

‘Their heads? Whose heads?’ I wondered, but I couldn’t say a word, or I was going to get hit, like always.

Since my parents died in a car accident when I was seven, I have lived with Aunt Alexa since then. And I must confess that it wasn’t the peaceful life I pictured or always wanted.

I was bullied and maltreated by her and her children, my cousins. I never did anything right in their sights. In fact, I had to work very hard before I could eat once a day.

When I turned ten, I began to work in this clubhouse owned by my Aunt. I would clean, wash and even cook when necessary. However, it has always been like this and I’ve gotten pretty used to it.

But today… Today, my Aunt is giving me the attention I hadn’t gotten in years. She bought me a beautiful mini, red dress and now, she’s doing my makeup?

Something is wrong somewhere. ‘Why are you being so nice to me, Aunt Alexa?’ I thought, and suddenly, there was a smack on my shoulders.

“Great! Now, open your eyes.” She whispered next to my ear and I slowly opened my eyes.

I slowly lifted my eyebrows in astonishment as I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked extremely beautiful. More than I had ever been. This made me excited, but beneath that excitement was confusion.

‘Why all this all of a sudden?’

“Aunt Alexa, why am I dressed so beautifully?” I asked, slightly tilting my head to the side to look at her face.

“Because… Today, you are finally going to repay all my good deeds.” She responded with a large grin, but I was still very confused.

“Repay? But… I don’t have any money.” I muttered and she scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“Listen to me, Mia. You are now twenty years old, and I can’t keep looking after you forever. You have to remember you are not my daughter and I have my children to take care of.” She uttered, and I gulped painfully, nodding in agreement.

“Yes.”

“Great.” She moved her hands to my cleavages which were protruding out from the neckline of my gown and ran her finger on them. “I have groomed you into a beautiful, sexy lady.” She whispered, leaning closer and looking at me through the mirror again.

“All these assets you have are going to fetch me some good money. Now, we have to get out there. Get up.” She commanded, and I hastily did as I was told.

“Aunt… Alexa, I don’t understand.” I stuttered, pulling the hem of my gown down so it would cover more of my skin. My hips were so huge in them that they barely covered my backside.

“Mia, please! You’re beginning to annoy me! You’ll figure it out yourself sooner or later!” She smacked, and I hastily nodded, swallowing hard again.

She headed out of the dressing room and I followed behind her. Getting out, I saw other ladies, in different sizes, all dressed up like I was.

Ladies were often dressed up like this on special occasions. And one of them was ‘The Auction.’

I shook my head and let out a faint smile. ‘It’s impossible. My Aunt would never sell me.’ I thought, shaking the thoughts off.

“Ladies, come closer!” Aunt Alexa announced from the door that led to the bar. The other ladies rushed to the door, but I remained where I was.

I believed she wasn’t talking to me until I saw her shoot me a deadly look.

“C’mon, Mia! Don’t fucking waste my time!” She shouted, and immediately I found my way to the door, struggling to walk properly in the outrageous heels she got for me.

“Now, listen ladies. This is a very important night for the clubhouse and you. You are going to go up there and give them your all, okay?! The lady that brings home the highest bid is definitely getting a special package from me.” She uttered, and all the girls happily muttered things to each other, chuckling and adjusting themselves in their exposing dresses.

But I was left in uttermost dismay. Reality dawned on me. ‘My aunt is going to sell me to those filthy men that use women!”

“Flaunt those titties and asses, girls! Tonight is your night!”

“Yess!” They all yelled in unison.

I blinked severally and even raised my hand, trying to get Aunt Alexa’s attention, but she just ignored me and walked into the bar.

My heart began to thump against my chest and I looked around me, hoping someone was going to save me, but there was no one. I was alone. Like I had always been.

While I stood, speechless and scared in front of the door, I heard my Aunt’s voice from inside the bar.

“Good evening gentlemen! Tonight is the night we’ve all been waiting for! It’s another season of The Auction!” She screamed in excitement, and I could hear the cheering from the audience.

‘What if I’m sold off to a man that will maltreat me? Or even kill me?!’ Sweat oozed out of my pores as I thought about every terrible thing that could happen to me.

“Without wasting any more time, let’s get down to business! I present to you, the ladies of the night!” She yelled, and another round of applause followed her words.

The ladies in front of me began to walk into the bar, and in no time, they were all gone, leaving me behind the door. My hands and legs shivered in fear. I had never been in the spotlight, ever before.

‘How am I supposed to act?’

All of a sudden, my Aunt appeared again. “Oh, Mia! Don’t ruin my mood tonight. I believe you will bring in the highest bid, trust me. I mean, look at that body.” She uttered softly. “Now, get out there.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bar.

She let go of me and stood behind me, signaling to me to go up the stage, where the spotlight was. My legs quivered at every step I took. My head remained lowered as I got on the stage and stood next to the other girls.

The spotlights were so bright that I couldn’t see those seated behind them.

“So, the number one girl of the night! Rita!” My aunt announced, and a slim, beautiful lady moved out from the straight line where we waited.

She walked from one end of the stage to the other end, smiling widely. I couldn’t help but wonder how they could be so comfortable and happy doing this. I just wanted to run away as fast as I could.

“Rita’s opening bid is $7,000!” Aunt Alexa announced.

“$7000!” A voice from behind the spotlight yelled and I raised my head out of curiosity. Another spotlight was put on this man, and from looking at him, he seemed like a gentle businessman, dressed in a black suit.

‘No gentleman will come to places like this.’ I told myself, slightly lowering my head again.

“$7,000 going! One! Two! And sold! She is sold to the handsome man in black.” My Aunt announced happily and the lady walked down the stage, approaching her buyer.

The line rapidly reduced as the bidding went as fast as possible. I was the last on the line and as it got closer to my turn, it was as if the ground was going to open up and swallow me.

After a while, I was finally left on the stage with my Aunt.

“Now, for the real deal of tonight! Mia! A perfect curvy, virgin girl you can ever find! Innocent and cute! $50,000 is Mia’s opening bid…”

‘What?! Why would anyone buy me for such an amount?’ I thought in disbelief.

“$51,000!” A voice yelled from the audience and my eyes popped wide open. With my heart racing in my chest, I raised my head to look at who had spoken.

“$55,000!” Another man yelled, also standing up.

“$55,000! Going, one…”

“$70,000!”

“What?! $70,000?! That is incredible!” Aunt Alexa yelled in shock, and when the spotlight came on this man, I was terrified by his look. He was hefty and had tattoos all over him. He was no doubt a Mafia boss.

“$70,000! Going…”

“$100,000!”

“What the hell?” I muttered in shock. Aunt Alexa looked at me with shock on her face and it seemed like everyone was also in shock.

The spotlight came on him and our eyes met. For the first time, someone looked at me like he wasn’t ready to rip my clothes off my body. He looked very tall and wore a vintage shirt and pants. He seemed like another gentleman.

“$100,000! Going, one! Two! And Sold to that gentleman over there!” Aunt Alexa announced enthusiastically. “What’s your name, sir?!”

“Ethan. Ethan Cross.”

Even though there was chaos in the room, I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off my new owner, and it seemed mutual to him too.

‘Why did you buy me with such an outrageous amount, Mr Ethan? What kind of life am I stepping into?’